ARLINGTON Va.— Junior Dimitri Rucker had a team-high 13 points along with four rebounds for the Marymount (Va.) University men's basketball team on Sunday afternoon in the Pablo Coto Tip-Off Championship, but a second-half push by Catholic University awarded it the champion with a 74-59 decision. 

The Saints got off to a quick start with two baskets in the paint by Rucker leading to a 7-0 advantage two minutes into the game. Eventually, with tough defense, Marymount built off that momentum to grow the advantage to 18-12 mid way through the first half.

Sharp shooting from beyond the arc by freshman Ibrahim Kamara helped MU to tie the game at 21 all at the 6:26 mark. Foul trouble for the Cardinals and a couple of baskets from Kamara and freshman LaDarius McCord allowed the Saints to limit the Cardinal advantage to 35-29 at the end of the first half. 

Marymount was led by Kamara with eight points, followed by sophomore Brandon Rogers who added seven points and two assists, and Rucker who registered seven points and four rebounds through a hard-fought first half.

Rucker got the blue and white going after several two-point baskets early in the second half. The Saints struggled to find the bottom of the net over the next six minutes and the drought ended on a layup by freshman Ryan Albert assisted by by sophomore Logan Cook to cut the deficit to 18, 56-38. 

A couple of three pointers by Rogers and freshman Josh Giardina kept the Saints within striking distance as they approached the four-minute mark. A quick 5-0 run for MU brought it as close as it would get at 68-54, as the Cardinals held out for the victory. 

Rogers and Rucker paced Marymount on the offensive end registering 13 points apiece. With Rogers' efforts for the weekend, the sophomore guard earned a spot on the All-Tournament team. 

Men's basketball will return to action on Sunday, November 27 at 4 p.m., at Juniata College.